Extendible clasping device for watch bracelets and the like



April 23, 1935. c, H, KESTENMAN 1,999,156 l EXTENDIBLE LASPING DEVICE FOR WATCH BRACELETS. AND THE LIKE I 'Filled June 27, 1952' i-yp Patented pr. 23, 1935 PATENT GEFEQE EXTENDBLE CLASPING DEVICE FOR WATCH BRACELETS AND THE LIKE Application .lune 27, 1932, Serial No. 619,392

14 Claims.

This invention relates to buckles, claspsY and like devices for securing the ends of Wrist-watch straps, bands, bracelets and similar articles; and more particularly to improvements in devices of the type specified wherein means are provided for accurately adjusting the length of the strap or band to t the wrist of the wearer.

One object of the invention is to provide an extendible fastening device for a strap, band or bracelet which, after the latter has been positioned upon the wrist, may be folded and clasped in closed relationship and thereafter conveniently adjusted to draw the strap or band snugly about the wrist.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specied having means whereby the adjusting elements may be slid into telescoping relationship to shorten the length of the strap, band or bracelet about the wrist without disturbing or affecting their clasped or folded condition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified which is devoid of projecting finger-pieces for manually adjusting the parts of the clasp from the exterior thereof and wherein the mechanical adjusting means are entirely concealed from view.

Another object of the invention is to provide an entendible clasping device of the type specified wherein a slidable member and a foldable member are employed as the adjusting elements to provide that when the parts of the clasp are unfolded the adjusting elements are automatically released to permit the slidable member to be extended longitudinally whereby the length of the bracelet is amply increased to allow its withdrawal from the wrist.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified comprising a minimum number of parts adapted for economical manufacture from sheet-metalstock and convenient for assembling without the use of solder, screws or other extraneous parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device Vof the type specified which is neat and ornamental in appearance, free from unsightly projections and proof against derangement or getting out of order.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred form of construction of the device, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing a conventional type of wrist-watch having a two-part strap attached thereto with its ends secured togetherby the present improved extendible clasping device;

Fig, 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view 5. of the clasping device showing the parts in clasped relationship; j

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating the manner in which the parts are unclasped and three of its members unfolded to extend the length of the bracelet;

Fig. 4 is a similar View showing the partscompletely unfolded and illustrating the manner in which an additional member is slid outwardly to further extend the length of the bracelet l5 whereby to permit convenient removal thereof from the wrist;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the clasp shown with its parts in closed or clasped relationship and assuming the positions shown in Fig. 2

Fig. 6 is a similar plan View showing the relationship of the parts of the clasp when they are completely opened out;

Fig. 7 is a further enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line l-'i of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a similarV sectional view taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 5 and showing the detent means for maintaining the parts of the device in closed relationship;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the sliding member employed as one of the adjusting elements of the device; and v Fig. 10 is a plan view of a larger size of clasping device for use with gentlemens watch-bracelets showing a double arrangement of the ratchet adjusting meansl to provide for greater strength and durability.

The present improved device comprises, in general, a series of coperating members hingedly connected at their ends to adapt them to be folded into closed relationship, one over the other, and to be opened out into extended position to lengthenthe strap, band or bracelet having its ends connected thereto. The opposite sections of the strap, band or bracelet are pivotally attached to the free ends of the device so that when the parts thereof are folded into overlying relationship the strap, band'or bracelet will be drawn around the wrist; and when the folding elements are opened out the bracelet will be lengthened to adapt it to slip over the hand of the wearer.

The present improvement relates particularly to sliding means on the clasp adapted to be automatically operated when the device is unclasped 55.

to provide for greater extension in the length of the bracelet. As a further feature of improvement, means are provided for accurately adjusting the length of the bracelet after the folding members of the device are clasped together. This latter adjustment is effected by manually telescopng the slidable member into the clasp which is provided with means on one of the folding members to lock the sliding member in its adjusted position.

Referring to the drawing, 2 designates a conventional type of wrist-watch having baila` 3 on its sides to which the ends of the opposite strapsections 4 and 5 are attached by means of connectors 6. The present improved extendible clasp or fastening device' is herein shown as applied to use with a strap or bracelet composed of articulated links, but in other cases it may be employed with a reticulated fabric or leather strap. The term strap is therefore herein employed in a generic sense to designate any suchy form of band or bracelet.

The main portion of the clasp comprises three coperating extension members; namely, a base element 1,. a connecting element 8- and a top element or cover 9. These members may be constructed as stampings struck up from thin sheetmetal stock and curved to conform to the contour of the wearers wrist. The base member 1 is constituted by a relatively fiat plate Hl having side-anges l l folded upwardly therefrom. At

vone end of the member 1 the side-anges Il are perforated to receive a hinge-pin l2 on which is pivotally mounted a connector-link I5. The connector l 5 may be of any desired construction and as herein shown comprises a pair of sheet-metal loop members having means at one. of their ends for receiving the hinge-pin I2 and at their opposite ends means for pivotally holding the end-bar of the strap-section 4. The base member 1 is formed at its opposite end with a loop or bearing I6 for a hinge-pin I1, upon which the connecting member 8 is pivoted in. the manner as later explained. The side-hanges Il are indented on the outside to form inwardly projecting protuberances or projections I8 of substantially rectangular outline, see Figs. 3, 8 and 10, which snap under suitable detent-shoulders 29 on the top member or'cover 9 when the parts of the clasp are folded into closed or clasped relationship in the manner as later more fully explained.

The connector member 8, previously mentioned, consists of a relatively flat plate I9 with sideflanges 29 folded downwardly therefrom. At one end the flanges 2U are punched with circular holes for receiving the hinge-pin l1 by means of which the two elements 1 and 8 are pivotally connected together. The opposite end of the member 8 is formed with aloop 2| for pivotally connecting this member to one end of the cover 9 in the manner as later explained. The bottom or flat portion I9 of the member 8 is cut away centrally to form a rectangular opening 22, shown most clearly in Fig. 6. One of the longitudinally extending sides of the opening 22 is serrated to form ratchetteeth 23 which are usedl for a purpose as later explained.

The top element or cover 9 is constituted by a relatively :dat plate-portion 26 having side-flanges 21 bent downwardly therefrom. At one end of' the cover 9 the side-anges 21 are punched with circular holes for receiving a hinge-pin 28 which passes through the loop or bearing 2| of the connector member to pivotally connect the latter to the cover. It will be observed by reference to Figs. 7 and 8 that the end portions of the sideflanges 21 on the cover 9 are bent inwardly toward each other at 29 in overlying parallel relation with respect to its plate-portion I9. The iianges 21 and their folded portions 29 provide guideways in the cover for receiving a slide member 35 to adapt it to slide longitudinally thereof to expand or shorten the length of the bracelet in the manner as later more fully explained. Sumcient space is provided between the edges of the inwardly directed iiange-portions 29 to permit the folding members 1 and 8 to be positioned therebetween when the device is closed. When the three parts 1, 8 and 9 are folded into nested relationship as shown in Fig. 8 the cover member 9 is pressed downwardly until the detent-protuberances I8 on the base member snap over the edges of the inwardly directed flanges 29 to clasp the members together. In this manner a positive clasping of the parts is effected to resist considerable pull and insure against accidental unclasping and possible loss of the bracelet from the wrist. The top wall 26 of the cover member 9 is extended at one end to provide a curved lip 39 adapted to serve as a finger-grip in opening the clasp.

As thus far described the construction and arrangement of the foldable elements 1, 8 and 9 is somewhat similar to that of previous devices used in the art, it being understood that in general practice the end of one strap-section 4 is attached to the free end ofthe member 1 while the end of the other section 5 is connected directly to the free end of the cover member. In this manner the clasping device permits the lengthening of the strap of a wrist-watch to adapt it to be slipped over the hand of the wearer without requiring the disconnection of one or both ends of the strap. The folding elements of previously used extendible clasping devices are, however, relatively fixed when in closed arrangement and the over-all length thereof is of predetermined dimension. Hence, to adjust the strap to t wrists varying in size it is necessary to remove links from or add others to the strap-sections 4 and 5. In accordance with the prevailing mode, wrist-watch bracelets are composed of relatively long links and to remove one link from or add another to the bracelet results in too .great a change in the length thereof so that it is sometimes mpossible to secure the proper fit. That is to say, with the previously used method of adjusting the length of the bracelet a minute change cannot be readily obtained to secure a comfortable and snug t about the wrist.

To obviate the diiiiculties above noted the present invention contemplates means for minutely adjusting the length of the bracelet after the latter has been positioned on the wrist. In'the present embodiment of the invention a slidable member 35 is provided for connection with the end of the strap-section 5 and, preferably, the member 35 is telescopically received within the cover member 9 of the clasping device.

Referring particularly to Fig'. 9 of the drawing, the slide or adjusting member 35 is constructed from sheet-metal taking the form of an inverted trough having a top 36 with depending sides 31. The sides 31 are bent downwardly and then upwardly' again on the inside of the trough to reinforce the structure. The thickness of the twoply sides thus formed is slightly less than the length of the overhanging flange-portions 29 on the cover member 9 so that they may slide freely in the guideways with clearance for the members 1 and 3 when the latter are folded into nested relationship in the cover. Referring to Fig. 8, it will be observed that the rounded ends of the folded side-flanges 31 have a clearance for the detent-protuberances I8 which are snapped over the edges of the flange-portions 29 in the manner as above explained.

Referring again to Fig. 9 of the drawing, the top portion 33 of the member 35 is cut away along the greater part of its length to form a rectangular opening 39 terminating at the cross-strip ill. Bent downwardly from the end of the cover 9 is a stop-finger or abutment 40 adapted to project through the opening 39 in the slide member 35 when the parts are in folded relationship. When the member 35 is slid outwardly from the cover 9 the edge of the cross-strip 4| encounters the lug di? to limit the extension of the parts. At the forward end of the slide 35 is a cross-strip 42 formed with a portion 43 bent downwardly at right-angles thereto. The strip 42 and finger i3 form an angle-shaped end-bar for receiving the end link of the strap-section 5. The opposite end of the top portion of the member 35 is cut away to form a substantially rectangular aperture 44, from one side of which a strip of metal is bent downwardly at right-angles in a finger 46. The downwardly extending finger 46 thus formed has a forward extension curved outwardly toward one of the side-flanges 31 in the form of a springdetent or pawl 45 arranged with its end adapted to engage the teeth 23 on the folding member 8 to function in the manner as later explained. The method of operation of the complete device is as follows:

Assuming that the parts of the clasping device are in open or extended relationship as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the bracelet may be slipped over the hand and positioned on the wrist of the wearer. To clasp the bracelet about the wrist the connector-element 8 is first folded upon the base member l and the cover member next folded upon both members 'l and 8 in overlying relationship therewith. It will be seen by reference to Fig. 8 that the side-flanges 2|] of the member 8 fit closely within the sides l! of the member l and the sides il, in turn, t snugly between the edges of the inturned flange-portions 29 on the cover 9. The cover member 9 is pressed rmly against the base member 'l until the detent-protuberances I8 snap across the edges of the flangeportions Z9 whereby the parts l, 8 and 9 are securely clasped together.

As before pointed out, when the parts of the clasp are secured together it often happens that the bracelet is too loosely fitted to the wrist. For the purpose of accurately adjusting the length of the bracelet about the wrist the wearer makes use of the slidable member 35. This member may be slid inwardly within the clasp proper tc draw the ends of the bracelet closer together. When the parts of the clasp are folded into overlying relationship the pawl 45 on the member 35 enters the rectangular `opening 22 in the connector member 8 to engage with the teeth 23 formed on the side thereof, see Fig. 5. It is to be understood that during the clasping of the parts the slide member 35 is in outer or extended position and the pawl 45 enters the rst tooth-space indicated at 43 in Figs. 5 and 6. To reduce the length of the bracelet, the member 35 is slid inwardly of the clasp whereby its pawl 45 will ride over and engage successively with the ratchet-teeth 23 on the member 8. When the slide member 35 has been slid inwardly to the position required to effect a snug fit of the bracelet about the wrist, pressure on the slide is relieved and the pawl i5 comes to rest at the rear of one of the series of teeth 23. Due to its inherent resilience the pawl engages positively with one of the teeth to prevent the member 35 from being accidentally withdrawn from the clasp.

The sliding movement of the member 35 in the device in no way effects the proper clasping of the parts. It is to be particularly noted that the ratchet-teeth 23 are relatively small and closely spaced to provide for a minute adjusting of the member 35 on the clasp in drawing the ends of the bracelet together. Referring to Fig. 7, it will be observed that the teeth 23 are curved upwardly slightly to provide that when the parts of the device are folded together the pawl 45 will spring over the side of the tooth with which it may contact to insure its proper engagement with the ratchet. That is to say, the teeth will act with a camming action to spring the pawl into place should one of the teeth be folded down upon the pawl during the clasping of the parts.

When it is desired to remove the bracelet from the wrist the device is unclasped by inserting the ngernail under the lip or finger-grip 39 and prying the cover member 9 upwardly whereby to free its detent-protuberances I8 from the edges of the flange-portions 29 on the base member 1. The members 1, 8 and 9 may then be swung about their respective hinge-pins I8 and 28 and opened out in the manner as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. When the parts are unclasped the pawl 45 on. the slide 35 is automatically released from engagement with the teeth 23 on the member and the slide is free to be withdrawn from the cover member 9. A slight pull on the bracelet withdraws the slide 35 from the cover until its cross-strip 4l encounters the stop-lug or abutment 40 whereby separation of the parts is prevented. With the device completely opened out in the manner as explained the bracelet may be slipped over the hand of the wearer without requiring disconnection of its ends from the watch to which it is attached. The slidable member 35 greatly facilitates the operation of placing the bracelet on or removing it from the wrist of the wearer since it provides for maximum extension thereof.

In Figs. 1 to 9 the clasping device is illustrated in a form adapted for use with womens wristwatch straps; while in Fig. 10 a larger size of clasp is shown for use with mens watch-straps. The latter View also shows a double arrangement of the ratchet adjusting means to provide for greater strength and security. However, with the exception of the double row of teeth 23 on the connector member 8 and the two pawls 45 formed on the slidable member 35 the construction and arrangement of the parts and the method of operation of the device are identical with those above described.

It is to be observed from the foregoing that the present invention provides an improved extendible clasping device which is simple in construction, adapted for economical manufacture from sheet-metal stampings with its parts easily assembled without the use of solder.

As one feature of the improvement, means are provided for accurately adjusting the lengths of the bracelet in which the device is incorporated. This means is so arranged in the device that it may be operated manually from without the clasp to draw the ends of the bracelet closer together whereby to provide a comfortable and snug t thereof about the wrist of the wearer.

CII

Moreover, the adjusting means is formed on the parts of the clasp which fold into overlying relationship with respect to each other to provide that when the parts are unfolded the adjusting means is automatically released so that one of the members may be slid outwardly to obtain maximum extension of the bracelet. 'I'his feature constitutes an improvement oversimilar devices previously used in the art having the adjusting means incorporated on permanently connected members of the clasp and necessitating manual release of the adjusting means to permit the clasp to be opened to its maximum extent.

As another feature of improvement of the invention the resilient pawl is constructed integral with one of the extension members, thereby reducing the number of parts and simplifying the manufacturing operations in assembling the elements of the device.

Furthermore, the device'is extremely neat and ornamental in appearance, free from unsightly projections and proof against derangement or getting out of order.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred form of construction of the device by Way of example, it is to be understood that various modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of the parts thereof without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

l. In a buckle, a plurality of sections hinged together to fold one on the other, one section having a slot therein with integral rack teeth along the edge of the slot, and a member slidable in another of said sections and having a resiliently mounted latch to engage said rack teeth when the sections are in folded position.

2. In a buckle, a plurality of sections hinged together to fold one on the other, one section having a slot therein with integral rack teeth along the edge of the slot, and a member slidable in another of said sections and having a resilient latch to engage said rack teeth when the sections are in folded position, said rack teeth being Withdrawn from the latch when the sections are unfolded.

3. In an extension device of the type set forth, a keeper, pivotally connected sections foldable in the keeper, one of said sections being pivotally attached to one end of the keeper and having a slot with a plurality of catch receiving recesses in its edge, an adjusting link slidably mounted in the keeper longitudinally thereof, and a resilient catch carried by the said link selectively engageable with the catch receiving recesses.

fi. In device of the type specified, the combination of a base member, a top member, a foldable member hingedly connected to the base member and top member, said foldable member having a slot with ratchet-teeth alo-ng its edge, a slidable member arranged for telescopic movement Within the top member, and resilient means on the slidable member engageable with the teeth on the foldable member, for maintaining the slidable member in different positions of adjustment within the top member.

5. A device of the type specined comprising a base member, a cover member, a foldable member pivotally connected to the base member and cover member to adapt them to be folded into overlying relationship, said foldable member having a slot with ratchet-teeth along its edge, a slidable member telescopically held Within the cover member and adapted to be adjusted relatively thereto When the parts of the device are folded together, and resilient means on the slidable member adapted to selectively engage the teeth on the foldable member when the several members are folded together for maintaining the slidable member in dierent positions of adjustment in the cover member, said resilient means being automatically disengaged from the ratchetteeth When the parts are unfolded whereby to permit the slidable member to be extended with respect to the cover member.

6. A device of the type specified comprising a. base member, a cover member, a foldable member hingedly connected to the ends of the base member and cover member to adapt the parts to be folded into overlying relationship, said foldable member formed with a slot having ratchet-teeth along its edge, and a slidable member telescopicallyl arranged Within the cover member and provided With a resilient pawl adapted to engage the teeth on the foldable member to maintain t1 e latter in different positions of longitudinal adjustment With respect to the cover member.

'7. A device of the type specified comprising a plurality of members hingedly connected at their ends to adapt them to be folded into overlyingA relationship, one ofsaid members having a slot with a seriesfof ratchet-teeth along its edge, and

an extension member slidably mounted on one of the other members to adapt it to be extended therefrom and retracted With respect thereto and to be folded into overlying relation with the member provided with ratchet-teeth, said last-named member provided With a pawl adapted to engage the ratchet-teeth to hold the slidable member in different positions of adjustment.

8. A device of the type specified comprising a base member, a top member, a foldable member hingedly connected at its ends to the base member and top member, a member slidable on the top member for longitudinal adjustment with respect thereto, said foldable member having a slot therein with ratchet-teeth along its edge, and resilient means on the slidable member engageable with the ratchet-teeth when the members are folded together in overlying relationship to maintain the slidable member in different positions of adjustment While permitting the adjustment to be altered When the device is closed.

9. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a base member, a foldable member hingedly connected to the end of the base member and having a slot With a series of ratchetteeth along its edge, a top member hingedly connected to the end of the foldable member, and an extension member slidably mounted on the top member to adapt it'to be extended therefrom and to be withdrawn into retracted position to fold against the foldable member, said extension member provided with a resilient pawl adapted to engage the teeth on the foldable member to maintain it in different positions of adjustment.

l0. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a base member, a foldable member hingedly connected to the end of the base member and provided with ratchet-teeth spaced along its length, a top member hingedly connected to the end of the foldable member and provided with longitudinal guideways, and an extension member slidably mounted in the guideways of the top member, said extension member having a top portion with flanges folded downwardly therefrom and with its top portion cut away and the metal bent to form an integral pawl adapted to engage the ratchet-teeth on thefoldable member when the parts are folded together into overlying relationship.

ll. A device of the type specified comprising a plurality of members hingedly connected at their ends to adapt them to be folded into overlying relationship, one of said members having a slot with a series of catch receiving means spaced along its edge, and an extension member slidably mounted on one of the other members to adapt it to be extended therefrom and retracted with respect thereto and to be folded into overlying relation with the member provided with the catch receiving means, said last named member provided with a pawl adapted to engage the catch receiving means to hold the slidable member in different positions of adjustment.

l2. An extensible connector for bracelets comprising two sliding members connected to slide endwise one upon the other, a folding member having a slot with ratchet-teeth along the edge of the slot, means on one ofthe sliding members connecting the folding member to one of the sliding members, said folding member constituting a connecting link between the sliding members and one end of the bracelet, and means inoperative when the folding member is in open position but operative when the folding member is folded over in closed position upon the sliding members to engage the ratchet-teeth to prevent lengthwise adjustment oi the two sliding members in a direction to extend the same but to permit lengthwise adjustment of the two sliding members in a direction to contract the same while the folding member is in closed position.

13. An extensible clasp for bracelets comprising two sliding links connected to slide lengthwise one upon the other, a folding link having a slot with ratchet-teeth along its edge, means connecting the folding link to one of the sliding links, said folding link constituting a connecting link between the sliding links and one end of the bracelet, and a pawl so formed and positioned on the clasp as to be in operative engagement with the ratchet-teeth on the folding link only when the folding link is in closed position with relation to the sliding links, the formation of the ratchetteeth being such as to prevent lengthwise adjustment of the two sliding links in a direction to extend the same but to permit lengthwise adjustment of the two sliding links in a direction to contract the same while the folding link is in closed position, the engagement and disengagement of the ratchet-teeth and pawl being governed by the closing and opening of the folding link.

14. An extensible clasp for bracelets comprising two sliding links so connected to each other as to slide lengthwise one upon the other and to project one beyond the other when in extended position, a folding link having a slot with ratchetteeth along its edge, means connecting the folding link to one of the sliding links, said folding link constituting a connecting link between the sliding links and one end,y of the bracelet, and a pawl so arranged on the clasp as to be in operative engagement with the ratchet-teeth only when the folding link is in closed position with relation to the sliding links, said ratchet and pawl being so formed that when in operative engagement they will hold the sliding links releasably in any one of several positions of lengthwise adjustment between the sliding links and permit a lengthwise adjustment between the sliding links for a relatively small adjustment of the clasp.

CHARLES H. KESTENMAN. 

